ICE HOCKEY: SOLWAY Sharks showed why they are the convincing leaders of the Moralee Division after beating Solihull Barons 4-1 in what was a clinical all-round home performance on Sunday evening.
The first period was played at a fast pace with both sides creating chances but by the end of the first 20 minutes the puck only found the net once.
A Sharks offensive move saw Duncan Speirs low on the right wing pass back to Ross Murray in space on the edge of the left hand circle who picked his spot for the opener.
The hosts gradually took control of the game in the second period with chances for the Barons coming few and far between.
Solway doubled their advantage in the 26th minutes with an attack in the Barons’ defensive zone ending with Struan Tonnar drifting in to fire the puck home.
The visitors pulled away with a third goal in the final minute of the period when Jordan Buesa – who had become an increasing irritant to the Barons defence – poked the puck in from short range with a shot which bobbled through Baron’s goalie Josh Nicholas’ glove to give the Solihull a difficult end to the period.
The final period saw the Sharks further extend their lead. Juraj Senko rolled a shot through Josh Nicholas for Solway’s fourth.
With things looking bad for the Barons and the visitors facing their first home shut out since 2012, it fell to Elliot Farrell to find space down the centre of the ice and fire the puck past Calum Hepburn in the Sharks net for some welcome relief for the home support.
The Barons now face two away ties before returning once more to Hobs Moat. This Sunday they head to North Wales to take on the Dragons and the following weekend they make the trip to Northumbria to take on the gritty Whitley Warriors.
